Only 2% of Gen Z Is Employable? Or Maybe Suzy Welch's Research Takes a Mere Snapshot of Youth at Only One Point in Their Lives

Causing a lot of commenting today on The Wall Street Journal (1520 so far) is an op-ed by Suzy Welch (yes, the widow of Jack Welch) tilted/subtitled:

"Is Gen Z Unemployable?

"Hiring managers prize achievement, learning and work. Today’s youth value pleasure and individuality."

That is derived from research by Becoming You Labs, founded by Suzy who is the CEO. It included interviewing hiring managers and members of Generation Z. Here is a copy of the white paper presenting that study. Suzy is also teaching at NYU's Business School.

Essentially what was looked at were soft skills. What was compared was what hiring managers wanted and what Gen Z found to be important for them. That might be summed up as attitude and underlying values. As WSJ reports:

"[for hiring managers] Achievement came in first ... [It's] 11th for Generation Z; 61% wish they had less of it in their lives.

"Next for the hiring managers was ... desire for learning, action and stimulation. That ranks 10th for Gen Z.

"Third for hiring managers was 'workcentrism,' the desire to work for work’s sake. That’s ninth for Gen Z."

Of course, some of the comments enjoyed putting the knock on Gen Z. Damn those parents who pampered the kids. 

Many others, such as myself, point out that this is a one-off snapshot of youth at one point in their lives. That's them now. But don't the majority of us evolve into being very different persons - and professionals? Over and over again. We change. Others change. The world changes. 

 So many other gens since the mid-20th century, such as we boomers, also took our time (economic boom facilitated that) landing ourselves in meaningful work which engrossed us. After a grueling high school experience in inner city Jersey City, aimed at grooming us first-generation college for college, I was eager to relax and seek pleasure when I finally arrived at the Promised Land. At 30, by accident I found a career path which lasted 40 years. During that time there was little work-life balance. 

In my coaching lawyers this often comes out: Law school was filled with pleasures. But once they arrived as entry level associates they knew to expect demanding hours, high performance standards and the need to understand how power operates. So well they tend to adapt in their 20s that Paul, Weiss chair Brad Karp awarded off-season bonuses to the "committed."

What some comments also hammer, almost in a Marxian manner, is that the labor contract is broken. The current usual is for employers to expect too much for too little compensation and mobility. A business owner objects to that prevailing ethos:

"S Zandy

[Self-employed] I work as hard as I possibly can ...

"But I do not expect people I pay to work for me to do the same. ...

"I find corporate managers and owners quite imbecilic and/or immoral when they expect and demand the same kind of work from employees as owners."

Businesses, as some Gen Zers assert, may need to shift from those demands. I myself left several contract assignments which entailed sweatshop conditions. 

If businesses refuse to humanize one growing option for Gen Z is becoming a solopreneur. The enterprise, operated without paid employees, can be as simple as selling used whatever online. ChatGPT even will produce the kind of adequate business plan which will result in a loan from the bank. 

Another is to lobby for Universal Basic Income, that is funding for not working. That could become policy reality sooner than later with how AI is eliminating jobs. Ideally, those receiving UBI would engage in some type of public service.

A third is to rise up as coal miners did in 1902. Interestingly, government was on their side, finding common ground with owners. It was a win win win.

As a coach/tarot reader who bears witness to the suffering of all generations struggling to get, hold and move on to better work I question Suzy's seeming lack of compassion for those caught up the recent economic paradigm shifts. Human dignity is in play. What is expected to be traded off for a chance to earn a living?

Thrown off your game, maybe the first time since you started working? You made all the right moves and then the world moved in another direction.

Intuitive Coaching. Special expertise with transitions, reskilling and aging. Psychic/tarot readings, upon request. Complimentary consultation with Jane Genova (Text 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com). Yes, test out the chemistry. There’s no risk.